FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Cumberland County has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking professional design and construction administration services for the modernization of the Crown Theatre and Arena, collectively known as the Crown Complex. The project represents the County’s continued commitment to enhancing quality of life, promoting economic vitality, and maintaining first-class entertainment and event venues for the community.
Through this RFQ, the County is inviting qualified architectural and engineering firms to provide full design, development and construction oversight services. The selected firm will assist in transforming the existing facilities into a modern, state-of-the-art complex capable of hosting a wide range of performances, concerts and community events.
The Crown Theatre and Arena Project will utilize the existing theater, which includes a permanent stage, and the arena’s open floor plan to accommodate a variety of events. The facility is anticipated to feature upgraded seating, acoustics, lighting, technology, concessions, VIP boxes and ADA-compliant amenities.
On June 4, 2025, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted to discontinue construction of the previously proposed Crown Event Center in downtown Fayetteville and instead pursue full renovation and modernization of the current Crown Theatre and Arena. The updated project will build on prior feasibility studies, community engagement, and the Board’s Guiding Principles, ensuring alignment with the County’s vision for accessibility, functionality and fiscal responsibility.
Cumberland County encourages responses from local, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, disabled veteran-owned, and small diverse businesses, as well as firms that have not previously worked with the County.
The complete RFQ document, submission requirements, and supporting materials, including prior studies and meeting minutes, are available at: www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/commissioners-group/commissioners/crown-event-center-committee
Key Dates
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RFQ Issued: Oct. 13, 2025
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Questions Due: 5 p.m., Oct. 27, 2025 and must be emailed to County Manager Clarence Grier at cgrier@cumberlandcountync.gov
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Submittals Due: 3 p.m., Nov. 14, 2025 (five hard copies and one digital PDF on a flash drive)
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Interviews: Week of Dec.8, 2025
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Selection Notification: Week of Dec. 15, 2025
For more information about Cumberland County, visit cumberlandcountync.gov, download the MyCCNCGov app, or follow CCNCGOV on social media.